"Meth rooms" for drug users could stem ice epidemic: experts

As the dangerous drug 'ice' continues to be a threat to our community, the Sunshine Coast Daily's four-part series with the University of the Sunshine Coast examines the impact of the drug with those who are battling it on the front lines.

DESIGNATED safe places for crystal methamphetamine, or "ice", users could help the Sunshine Coast shake off the drug's increasing grip on the region, according to experts.

The Noffs Foundation - a youth outreach group - called for the introduction of "ice rooms" earlier this year, with chief executive Matt Noffs likening them to the heroin injecting centres in Sydney's King's Cross.

Mr Noffs believes ice consumption rooms have the potential to help curb addiction to the potentially deadly narcotic.

Former addicts, GPs, youth counsellors and domestic violence experts have told the Daily of the growing threat ice poses to the Sunshine Coast community.

Reader poll

Would you support safe rooms for meth use and addiction treatment?

This poll ended on 19 September 2016.

Current Results

No, but I support other alternative measures

33%

No, I only support punishment

35%

Yes, I support the use of safe rooms

31%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

Noffs Queensland's Russell Workman said if Mr Noffs felt the ice rooms would work nationally, they would work on the Coast.

"If he feels that that's a solution then I would say I definitely agree that it would be a solution and it would work on the Sunshine Coast," Mr Workman said.

The Sunshine Coast Council was approached for its view on ice rooms for the Coast but did not respond before publication.